(Credits: Netflix)

Every September, Toronto turns into the beating heart of cinema and a hospital for cinephiles. We’re talking about the Toronto International Film Festival, aka TIFF, which is so much more than just red carpets and standing ovations.

This fest is about spotting the films that will shape the next year of conversation. And this year, Netflix showed up like it owned the place.

Netflix had films from a lot of genres to offer this year. From gothic horror to sharp whodunits, from Korean cinema to French arthouse, the streamer’s TIFF lineup did not just chase eyeballs; it chased prestige. The selections felt bold and very much like Netflix.

The best part? You don’t have to fly to Toronto, queue in the rain, or sweet-talk a publicist for a ticket. These seven films, all presented at TIFF 2025, are already lined up to stream on Netflix in the coming months. That’s the joy of living in the streaming age: today’s festival buzz becomes tomorrow’s binge.

So, if you missed the applause inside those packed Canadian theatres, here’s your cheat sheet. Seven TIFF premieres, all heading to your couch and in the order of their release date.

Six must-watch movies from TIFF coming to Netflix

Steve (Tim Mielants)

It’s safe to call Steve the quiet one in this lineup because it is the kind of film that doesn’t scream for attention, but it will end up sticking with you. Cillian Murphy plays the head teacher of a last-chance school who fights to keep his students on track while his own life strains at the seams. The film is an adaptation of the 2023 best-selling book “Shy” by Max Porter.

TIFF crowds loved how it captures loneliness without getting heavy-handed. It’s not flashy, and that’s exactly where its charm lies. Sometimes you just want a film that makes you sit still and feel something. Netflix drops it on October 3rd.

Good News (Byun Sung-hyun)

Korean cinema has been on a hot streak for years, especially the one Netflix brings. And Good News looks like the next export ready to dominate global conversation. What makes it more interesting is that it is based on the March 1970 hijacking of a Japanese passenger plane heading to Pyongyang. And just when it’s going on, a mysterious figure known only as “Nobody” steps in to try and pull off a rescue.

Good News premiered at TIFF to buzz for its emotional punch and sharp storytelling. Netflix will stream it worldwide from October 17th, so you won’t have to wait long to see why critics called it one of the festival’s most moving entries.

Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro)

Guillermo del Toro finally gave us his long-awaited spin on Mary Shelley’s classic, and TIFF got the first look. It follows the obsessive scientist who creates life and the Creature who struggles with rejection and loneliness. It is a gothic tale of power and grief and what it really means to be human.

You can expect gothic grandeur along with a cast stacked with talent and that unmistakable del Toro blend of monsters and melancholy. Early chatter? It’s as haunting as it is beautiful. Frankenstein arrives on Netflix on November 7th, just in time to make spooky season linger a little longer.

Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)

French cinema is always considered one of the best while being experimental. And when it meets Netflix in Nouvelle Vague, a film that feels as stylish as its title is. This Richard Linklater film shows you the making of the 1960 French classic Breathless. For those who don’t know, Breathless was one of the first feature films of the Nouvelle Vague era of French cinema.

TIFF gave a classy rollout to this landmark film, and Netflix will be the one to bring it to global audiences. Mark your calendar for November 14th, when it starts streaming on Netflix. Perfect for a moody autumn night.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson)

Netflix’s favourite detective, Benoit Blanc, is back, and this time Rian Johnson has promised his darkest mystery yet. The film dropped at TIFF with Daniel Craig returning as a Southern detective caught in another labyrinth of lies, alibis, and ridiculous accents. This time, the story takes place in a church and is a highly anticipated film of 2025.

Fans at the festival say it’s clever, sharp, and just the right mix of comedy and dread. It hits Netflix on December 12th, after a short theatrical run. Consider your holiday watchlist sorted.

Saturn Return (Greg Kwedar)

Saturn Return has been whispered about as one of the most daring entries of the year. It is a romance exploring love and loss and is set in a timeless Chicago setting. It shows a coming-of-age story about young college love and how it gets complicated once it transitions into adulthood.

The exact Netflix release date of this film is still under wraps, but it’s definitely on Netflix’s slate.